Dancing with the Stars is back, and Season 33 kicked off with an exciting first episode, featuring 13 celebrities all vying for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The competition is fierce this year, with a diverse cast that includes athletes, actors, Olympians, and even infamous socialites. Among them is none other than convicted con artist Anna Delvey, whose presence alone is sure to stir up buzz. The show’s iconic judges—Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough—were ready to score the performances, while hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough returned to the ballroom to guide us through the night.
The premiere episode’s theme was “personal anthems,” with each contestant dancing to a song that holds special meaning to them. This personal touch made for an emotional and high-energy start to the season. Some celebrities hit the ground running with impressive performances, while others struggled to find their rhythm. With a higher-than-usual level of scoring for a first night, this season promises to be packed with talent, drama, and unforgettable moments.
In a surprising departure from the last two seasons, no contestants were eliminated on the first night of competition. This gave every celebrity a chance to breathe a sigh of relief, but not for long—next week will see a brutal double elimination. Scores from this week will carry over to next week’s performances, with two stars sent home after a combined score tally.
The competition will get even more intense in Episode 2, as the show celebrates Oscar Night with dances set to award-winning movie songs. With the double elimination looming, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Contestants will need to bring their A-game to avoid an early exit.
The premiere night saw a few contestants struggle to impress the judges, landing them at the bottom of the leaderboard. Actor Eric Roberts and his partner Britt Stewart had a rocky start with their Cha-Cha, earning a low score of 15 points. Meanwhile, Tori Spelling and Pasha Pashkov’s Foxtrot failed to capture the judges' attention, landing them with 17 points. Fan favorite Reginald VelJohnson, best known for his role on Family Matters, also found himself near the bottom with a Salsa that didn’t quite hit the mark, scoring 16 points with partner Emma Slater.
While these stars may have stumbled out of the gate, it’s too early to count them out. With the help of dedicated fans, any of these celebrities could make a comeback in future episodes.
The standout performance of the night belonged to Chandler Kinney, the talented actress known for her roles in Zombies and Pretty Little Liars. Chandler and her partner Brandon Armstrong wowed the judges with a powerful and dynamic Tango set to Hot to Go! by Chappell Roan. Despite having previous dance experience, Chandler had never tackled ballroom dancing before, making her performance all the more impressive.
Bruno Tonioli couldn’t contain his excitement, calling it “one of the best Week 1 Tangos” he’d ever seen. Carrie Ann Inaba declared that Chandler had set the standard for Season 33, while Derek Hough praised her potential, stating, “If this is the beginning, I am scared to see what you have next because you have so much potential.” Chandler and Brandon topped the leaderboard with 23 points out of 30, establishing themselves as early frontrunners in the competition.
The athletes in the cast also brought their competitive spirit to the dance floor. NBA star Dwight Howard delivered a strong Salsa with partner Daniella Karagach, earning 22 points. Despite his towering height, Dwight’s quick footwork and energy impressed the judges, though they urged him to work on his technique.
Meanwhile, Stephen Nedoroscik, the Olympic gymnast known as the “pommel horse guy,” brought his athleticism and charm to a high-energy Jive. Partnered with newcomer Rylee Arnold, Stephen delivered a fun performance that earned 21 points. Judge Derek Hough noted Stephen’s infectious personality, predicting that he will continue to improve as the weeks go on.
Joey Graziadei, the star of The Bachelor, also turned heads with his confident Cha-Cha alongside Jenna Johnson. Scoring 21 points, Joey’s country-themed routine surprised many who didn’t expect the reality star to be so smooth on the dance floor.
Former Real Housewives of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy sizzled with a sexy Cha-Cha, showcasing their chemistry and Phaedra’s performance skills. Scoring 19 points, Phaedra admitted that her goal is to reach the finals, and with her natural charisma, she just might get there.
On the other hand, Anna Delvey, notorious for her role as a convicted con artist, performed a Cha-Cha with partner Ezra Sosa, all while wearing a bedazzled ankle monitor. Her performance was met with mixed reactions, earning 18 points. Carrie Ann Inaba took a moment during her critique to acknowledge Anna’s unique situation, asking the audience to give her a fair chance despite her controversial past. Whether Anna can win over the judges and the audience in the coming weeks remains to be seen.
The first episode of Dancing with the Stars Season 33 proved to be a strong start for many of the contestants, setting the stage for a highly competitive season. Chandler Kinney clearly established herself as the one to watch, while athletes like Dwight Howard and Stephen Nedoroscik showed they could be serious contenders as well. With no eliminations this week, all the stars will have another chance to impress in Episode 2, but the double elimination will add extra pressure.
Next week’s Oscar Night promises to be a thrilling evening as the stars dance to classic movie songs, but only time will tell who will be able to dance their way into Week 3. Who will rise to the occasion, and who will fall short? Tune in to Dancing with the Stars on Tuesdays at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+ to find out.
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